At Tesselaarsdal Wines, Berene Sauls pours her heart and soul into every bottle – along with a little blood, sweat, and tears. It’s not just wine, it’s a labour of love in every sip.
In the lush vineyards of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Berene Sauls’ wine journey began when she was just 18, working as an au pair for the Hamilton Russell family.
Her life took an unexpected turn in 2014, when Anthony Hamilton Russell, seeing potential in Sauls that even she had yet to recognise, offered her the chance to start her own wine business.
“He always says I would have been wasted talent at the house,” Sauls laughs. “But I think he saw something in me I didn’t even see in myself.”
With no strings attached, Russel offered her start-up capital to begin Tesselaarsdal Wines. This generous gesture allowed Sauls to follow her dream of producing wines that reflected her roots and vision.
“I wanted to build something for future generations,” she says. “I want my great-great grandkids to look back and say, ‘This farm has been in our family for 120 years.’”
Today, she is the proud owner of Tesselaarsdal Wines, named after the town she was born in. Her passion led her to start with two varieties – pinot noir and chardonnay – both of which had shaped her palate and knowledge during her years at Hamilton Russell Vineyards.
Now, in her tenth year of running Tesselaarsdal Wines, Berene’s commitment to producing exceptional wines is stronger than ever.
A philosophy built on the land
As a winemaker, Sauls’s philosophy is deeply rooted in producing wines that reflect the unique characteristics of the land. She believes in the importance of the site and soil, and how they shape the grapes.
“I’m also working behind the scenes to have Tesselaarsdal established as a wine ward,” she shares. “The wines we make should reflect the essence of this land.”
Her wines, notably the pinot noir and chardonnay, are expressions of this philosophy. Sauls works with vineyards in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, a cool-climate area known for producing wines with a distinctive saline minerality and vibrant acidity.
“The wines here have a beautiful acidity and minerality, which you can taste in every glass. We aim to produce wines that speak of the site, the soil, and the unique conditions here.”
The 2023 Chardonnay is a perfect example of Sauls’s approach. Aged in terracotta pots for five months to preserve the pure fruit profile, it is complemented by a touch of neutral oak. “It’s a wine for summer – perfect to enjoy on its own or with oysters or umami dishes,” Sauls suggests. “It’s a wine that anyone can enjoy.”
Her pinot noir, released in 2023, has a slightly different character, with flavours of wild strawberries and sour cherries giving way to dark cherry notes as the vines mature.
“This is our ninth vintage,” Sauls explains, “and the complexity is developing beautifully. The wine is aged in French oak for nine and a half months, with 10% of the berries being foot-stomped for added texture.”
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Conquering challenges
In her hometown, Tesselaarsdal, she recently concluded planting her first vineyards. However, this is not a winemaking area. In fact, it is traditionally dominated by wheat and sheep farming.
“There are no pinot noir or chardonnay vineyards here. It’s a big gamble, but I wanted to make it happen. I wanted to bring something special to this land.”
She also bought the farm without water and soil sampling, she says while bursting into laughter.
“What do we do if there’s no water?” she reflects on the uncertainty. However, as luck would have it, after drilling deeper, Sauls discovered enough water – a gush of 12 000 litres an hour. “It was a relief,” she says.
The area surrounding her vineyard is breathtaking, offering 360-degree views of the Klein River Mountain Range.
For Sauls, Tesselaarsdal Wines is not just a business. She wants to leave a lasting legacy. “I want this farm to be here for generations to come. It’s about building something that lasts.”
With her unwavering passion and commitment to quality, Sauls is well on her way to creating a legacy that will be cherished for generations.
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